Potassium

Tube Type

Test ID		LAB114
EPIC Order		POTASSIUM LEVEL
CPT Code(s)		84132
Group/Individual Test		Individual
Laboratory		Core Laboratory
Tube Station		Routine 30; STAT 888
Specimen	Routine:	1 mL blood/Li Heparin plasma separator tube/Mint Green top. Also acceptable serum (Gold SST / Red Top Tube) *See Comments*
	Micro:	200 µL blood/mint green top bullet/gold top/red top
Stability	Unspun:	6 hours
	Spun/Separated Room Temp:	8 hours
	Spun/Separated Refrigerated:	7 days
	Spun/Separated Frozen:	30 days
Availability		24 hrs/day
Turnaround Time		STAT 1 hr; Routine 2hrs
Reference Range	Normal:	0-28 days: 3.4-4.5 mmol/L >28 days: 3.4-4.8 mmol/L (plasma) 3.5-5.1 mmol/L (serum)
	Critical:	0-28 days: <2.7 or >6.5 mmol/L >28 days:<2.7 or >6.0 mmol/L If Emergency Department Location: <2.7 or >6.5 mmol/L
Comments	Patients with extremely elevated WBC values may exhibit pseudo hyperkalemia when collected in a green top tube. Serum (Gold top or red top) is recommended to monitor potassium levels in these patients.

Reviewed by J. Carr on January 11, 2024

UNC Hospitals
McLendon Clinical Laboratories
101 Manning Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514